Working in the human performance laboratory at the University of Calgary, Grace Kary has developed a new approach to her own, well, performance.

Day-to-day, the 22-year-old monitors some of the top national-level speed-skaters, alpine skiers, and athletes in the country, testing their improvement level to keep them operating at the highest levels.

Being a competitive runner herself, specializing in the 3,000-metre (indoor) and 5,000-M (outdoor) distances, she fully understands the idea of proper training, rest, and work ethic and how it all comes together.

“It’s helped me realize the importance of recovery, for example, with numbers and proof,” Kary explained the other day. “Even just hearing the athletes talk and listening to their lifestyle choices. It’s really neat. They’re good role models. It’s definitely cool.”

And when you surround yourself with like-minded individuals...

“I found my mentality changing,” said Kary, a member of the University of Calgary Athletic Club. “When I am running, I am thinking from a more physiological point of view. That my blood lactate level is at a certain level now and I’ve reached my anaerobic threshold.

“It’s neat, looking at a different side of sport.”

Of course, the different sides of sport has been Kary’s entire focus throughout her four years at the U of C. On top of running for the Dinos track and cross-country teams, that is.

She recently graduated with her bachelor of science in the exercise and health physiology program and now has her sights set on her masters in physiotherapy at Western, UBC, Queens or U of A.

And before observing elite athletes and studying their mechanics, she worked at the Sports Medicine Centre during the school year --- seeing every day heroes through their aches and pains which explains her future career choice.

Kary debated medical school but saw the need for a well-balanced life which still included a whole lot of time for herself --- and logging miles in her running shoes.

“I thought, for me, I wouldn’t be happy just doing school,” she said. “I could never just go home and study. I need time for different things and to branch out.

“Running is, definitely, way up there on my list. It’s not more important than school, definitely not, but I love balancing both --- school and athletics. It’s really important to me ... over the years, I’ve come to love it more and more. It’s become a big part of my life.”

And her family’s, too.

Every year, she runs the SportChek Mother’s Day Run and Walk --- an event which carries the laid-back vibe of a road-race compared with a competitive traditional track and field meet or a CIS championship race.

Last year, Kary was the second female to cross the line behind Calgary road-race queen Lisa Harvey in the 10-kilometre race and ripped off a respectable time of 37 minutes, 23.8 seconds. This year, her dad Darrell is going to join while her mom Diana is pumped to be on the sidelines.

“My mom loves watching this race,” said Kary, whose younger sister Ciara is a runner at Guelph and brother Mackenzie is an aspiring triathlete and swimmer at U of C. “I’m pretty sure she’s more excited than I am. She’s looking online at the confirmation list and knows everything about it. I’m always like, ‘Mom, do you want to do something else for Mother’s Day?’ She’s like, ‘No, no. I’ll watch you race.’”

Of course, there is a clear purpose to her weekend.

Training under local Dinos track gurus Doug Lamont and Mike VanTighem, she’s huffing and puffing six days a week plus doubles (a morning run and her evening session) and the occasional cross-training break.

With a 36:04 under her belt at the Vancouver Sun Run on April 21, she’s hoping for a “Calgary personal-best” here (the local altitude/weather are always determining factors) and her main goal this summer is clinching a spot at the Canada Summer Games in the 5-KM race.

“I look at running as a long-term thing,” she said. “I think it’s really important to look at success beyond the summer competing.

“Running is a good reflection of exactly how much work you put in are the results you see. Circumstances don’t totally dictate results. A lot of it is up to you.”

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